Kicking Tires: September, 2012

The new 2013 Ford Fusion is far more stylish and fun to drive compared to is competitors, including the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry, says Cars.com reviewer David Thomas. The new front seats and driver's controls leave something to be...

Having problems connecting your new iPhone 5 to your car's multimedia system? Cars.com reviewer David Thomas had similar issues, and he has a fairly straightforward fix for you. Continue reading about that, and our other most-read stories of the week,.

At this week's Paris Motor Show, Renault-Nissan and Mercedes-Benz/Smart owner Daimler announced plans to team up on a direct-injection, turbocharged engine and accompanying transmission. Renault-Nissan's Carlos Ghosn, CEO of the allied French and Japanese automakers, said the effort extends the.

The Los Angeles Auto Show may mark the official start of the American auto show season, but the 2012 Paris Motor Show is the beginning of the international season. This year, the 2012 Paris Motor Show offered some exciting unveilings,...

Currently, there's no law mandating rental car agencies fix recalled cars in their fleet. Pressure on the industry to put customers' safety first has been mounting, however, and it looks like an agreement has been reached. USA Today is reporting...

Europe's financial doldrums could mean more Italian cars in the U.S. — but not necessarily Ferraris and Lamborghinis. With a debt crisis a few years old, the European Automobile Manufacturer's Association predicts 2012 will mark a 17-year low for new-car.

Come Saturday, one of the nation's most traveled pieces of road will shut down for about two days — again. The closure will affect some 500,000 motorists and has been aptly called Carpocalypse II. That's right, this is the sequel....

Like its stable mate, the Chevrolet Equinox, GMC's smallest SUV is an incredibly family-friendly vehicle. It's one of the largest crossovers in the compact class and has a huge backseat. The Terrain's Latch anchors are exposed, making connection a breeze,.

Nissan redesigned its Altima sedan for 2013, and the new model is safer than the previous one, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA awarded the 2013 Altima sedan an overall rating of five out of five stars...

At the Paris Motor Show today, Maserati confirmed a name for its first SUV: the Levante. Maserati named it after a street in Bologna, Italy, where Automotive News notes the Maserati brothers moved the brand's offices in 1919. The Levante...

Porsche just unveiled a new concept car, the Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo, at the Paris Motor Show. It is essentially a Porsche Panamera with a redesigned back end that offers more cargo space, or as most people would call it,...

First it was the 1500, and now it's the HDs' turn. Ram is giving its 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks a makeover for the 2013 model year; they were last updated for 2010. Changes this year include a stronger frame,...

California became the third state to legalize self-driving cars, according to the Wall Street Journal. Nevada passed similar legislation around this time last year, as did Florida, the newspaper reports. At the signing ceremony for the legislation were California Gov.

The Suzuki Kizashi may be a no-name car in a sea of household-name midsize sedans, but it shouldn't be overlooked, says Cars.com reviewer Jennifer Geiger. If the Suzuki's stylish good looks, sporty handling and high-quality interior aren't enough to turn.

Tesla on Monday introduced a handful of proprietary quick-charge stations across California, Nevada and Arizona with free charging for Model S owners that spring for the optional hardware. The California automaker disingenuously markets the technology as "supercharging.

The transition from one model year to the next usually foretells the demise of a few good worn-out nameplates. Come 2013, say goodbye to models like the Mitsubishi Galant, Kia Sedona and the Hyundai Veracruz. While there’s probably not much...

So far, the EPA has released fuel-economy ratings for only one of the Cadillac ATS's three engines. More info is now available about the 3.6-liter V-6. Rear-wheel-drive versions of the top-line engine are rated at 19/28 mpg city/highway, and all-wheel-drive.

In theory, the Honda Fit's second row — with bottom cushions that fold up for added storage on the go — sounds like a winner. After driving a Honda Fit for the summer and loading the backseat with my two...

Jaguar’s XF is a fun-to-drive luxury sedan that doesn’t feel or look ostentatious, says Cars.com Family reviewer Sara Lacey. The 2012 XF’s exterior is a study in understated, modern elegance, and the interior follows suit. Sara’s two school-aged children declared.

There I was last Friday, a happy new iPhone 5 owner about to drive home in a 2013 Chevy Spark with the latest multimedia system on the market. I plug the new Lightning connector into the iPhone 5 and the...

Our stable of child-safety seats fit well in the 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer. This compact sedan seats five passengers and competes with the Honda Civic and Ford Focus. For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety...

When the Jeep Grand Cherokee was redesigned last year, Chrysler managed to make the SUV a more refined daily driver while maintaining most of the old Grand Cherokee's rugged nature. The updates are probably a boon for traditional Grand Cherokee...

Research firm R.L. Polk and Co. says the longer a driver hangs onto a car, the more likely they are to switch brands on the next one, Automotive News reports. About 46% of drivers who own a new car for...

With plenty of new competition in the midsize family-sedan category, Ford needed to come up with a good way to distinguish its new Fusion sedan from the rest — and distinguished it is. The new Fusion is far more stylish...

Toyota Vice Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada told reporters today that "there are many difficulties" to selling an EV based on the Scion iQ, Reuters reports. The so-called eQ would have competed with the Smart ForTwo Electric Drive and forthcoming Chevrolet Spark.

The Honda Accord gets a total revamp for the 2013 model year, and with it comes a new continuously variable automatic transmission and a new four-cylinder engine. Despite the model’s conservative redesign, the interior is high-quality, and it comes loaded.

Are Mississippians the most miserable drivers in America? Financially, that looks to be the case, according to CarInsurance.com. The average Mississippian pays more than 11.6% of their income toward gas and car insurance, according to the website. Read more about.

When carmakers turn their sports coupes into convertibles, the droptop models tend to lose a bit of their edge, becoming more sedate touring vehicles. That's not the case with the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, which is every bit as...

For the 2002 model year, all cars were required to feature a standard glow-in-the-dark trunk-release lever, which opens the compartment from the inside in the event of an emergency. Since the mandate, no children have died in the trunk of...

GM is recalling 4,716 model-year 2013 versions of the Chevrolet Sonic compact car due to problems with the turn-signal lamp, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The affected vehicles were manufactured from May 29 through Aug.

GM is recalling 426,240 model-year 2008-10 Chevrolet Malibus and Pontiac G6s, along with model-year 2007-10 Saturn Aura sedans due to problems with the automatic transmission, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The affected vehicles are equipped with a.

The all-new Infiniti JX35 is a seven-seat crossover that almost does everything right when it comes to hauling kids, says Cars.com Family reviewer Courtney Messenbaugh. Unfortunately, Infiniti forgot to inject some fun into the almost-perfect family hauler’s driving experience.

GM is recalling 426,240 model-year 2008-10 Chevrolet Malibus and Pontiac G6s, along with model-year 2007-10 Saturn Aura sedans due to problems with the automatic transmission, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The affected vehicles are equipped with a.

Anyone who's a parent knows what a struggle child-safety-seat installation can be. Not only is it difficult to keep track of which seat your child should be in based on age, weight and height, but actually installing them in the...

Ford's flagship sedan, the Taurus, can seat five passengers, but when child-safety seats are added to the mix, it can only handle two of our car seats in its large backseat, though three car seats nearly fit. This full-size sedan...

When the 2013 Buick Encore hits dealerships early next year, front-wheel-drive versions will start at $24,950, including a $750 destination charge. Standard features include 18-inch wheels, a backup camera, a power driver’s seat and a 7-inch dashboard screen with Buick’s.

In a conference call minutes ago, GM confirmed a redesigned GMC Canyon will roll off the assembly line at the automaker's Wentzville, Mo., plant at some point down the road. Officials at Buick and GMC also confirmed nine new or...

The smaller the vehicle, the more likely you are to be injured in a car crash, according to recent crash-loss data published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety/Highway Loss Data Institute. The group looked at model year 2009-2011 vehicles..

GM said Wednesday it wants customer loyalty rates, which are currently at 52% to 53%, to reach Toyota's industry-leading level of 58%, Reuters reports. The Detroit automaker says it focused too long on internal data, looking to cut warranty costs...

According to CarInsurance.com, drivers in Mississippi have it the worst. The automotive insurance company looked at the average number of miles driven in the state, the price of fuel, the cost of insurance and a resident's average income to make...

Hyundai jazzed up the styling of its Elantra sedan a couple of years ago. The-new-for-2013 coupe version builds off that look to good effect: The coupe is graceful, stylish and sporty, says Cars.com reviewer Mike Hanley. It's also surprisingly roomy..

Under a new rule, the EPA will require you to buy a minimum of four gallons of gas from any pump that sells E15, or gasoline that's 15% ethanol. Most stations sell E10, or 10% ethanol. But the handful of...

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently released crash-test results for a crop of new and redesigned-for-2013 vehicles. The redesigned-for-2013 Ford Escape compact SUV received an overall score of four out of five stars, earning four stars in frontal testing,.

The editors at Cars.com have kids ranging in age from newly born to newly off to college, with the vast majority of them in booster seats. While the laws vary from state to state, the federal government recommends that kids...

The 2012 Dodge Charger is more than a muscle car, says Cars.com Family reviewer BreAnn Ahara. This five-seat sedan is also a family car that can easily handle child-safety seats and double jogging strollers. The Charger’s chiseled looks and tough-guy.

The redesigned-for-2013 Ford Fusion goes on sale this fall, and official EPA numbers were recently released for all three engine options. The most efficient engine — the 1.6-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder — is rated at 25/37/29 mpg city/highway/combined with a manual.

The mission was simple: find out who makes the best, from-the-factory four-wheel-drive off-road package. PickupTrucks.com pitted four trucks against each other in a decathlon of dirt. Model-year 2012 versions of the Ford SVT Raptor, Nissan Frontier PRO-4X, Ram Power Wagon.

When the new 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid goes on sale later this fall, it will do so with a 47/47/47 mpg city/highway/combined rating from the EPA under its more stringent five-cycle testing methodology. The Fusion SE Hybrid starts at $27,995,...

Mazda unveiled an updated CX-9 ahead of the three-row SUV's official debut at next month's Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. The automaker will launch the car Down Under later this year, but full details are still forthcoming. It will...

Car crashes are the No. 1 killer of children ages 1 to 12 years old, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The correct child-safety seat installed properly is a strong weapon against these statics. Since it's National Child.

The redesigned-for-2013 Ford Fusion goes on sale this fall, and official EPA numbers were recently released for all three engine options. The most efficient engine — the 1.6-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder — is rated at 25/37/29 mpg city/highway/combined with a manual.

The EPA released gas-mileage figures for the most fuel-efficient Dodge Dart powertrain, the Dart Aero. The model will get 28/41/32 mpg city/highway/combined with a six-speed manual transmission. The six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission will net 28/40/32 mpg.

Although it's on the compact side, Volvo's five-passenger sedan can easily carry a small family in comfort and style. The S60 has a high-quality interior and easy-to-access lower Latch anchors and top tether brackets. For the Car Seat Check, we...

Hyundai’s Blue Link is a feature-heavy communications system with services such as emergency response, voice-activated navigation and the ability to remotely operate the door locks or start the engine through a smartphone application. Blue Link could have many more confusing.

The only minivan with a four-cylinder engine is losing it for the 2013 model year. Toyota's Sienna will only be available with its 3.5-liter V-6 this year. The minivan will again be offered in five grades: base, LE, SE, XLE...

The GT replaces the Touring in the Hyundai Elantra lineup for 2013. With the redesign, Hyundai's hatchback went from weird looking and lazy to stylish and sporty, according to Cars.com reviewer Joe Bruzek. It impressed with an interior full of...

Volvo is recalling nine model-year 2013 versions of the S60 sedan and XC60 SUV due to problems with the supplemental restraint system, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A faulty supplemental restraint system control unit could cause the.

Ford is recalling 5,499 model-year 2012 versions of the Edge SUV due to problems with the fuel line, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The affected vehicles were manufactured from Sept. 10, 2010, through Oct. 31, 2011, and.

Nearly 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day and continue to drive. Being behind the wheel and using prescription medicine isn’t always the safest combination. AAA has created a new online tool to help senior citizens know the potentially hazardous side-effects.

It's National Child Passenger Safety Week, a week that reminds us to renew our focus on car safety for our kids. It's a time to take a closer look at what's working and what needs work. According to an American...

Looks like: BMW's take on the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class Defining characteristics: Three-cylinder plug-in hybrid drivetrain, panoramic roof with tint-changing glass Ridiculous features: Backseat passengers can play a BMW-developed eco-racing game called Seismic Surf Chances of being mass-produced: Depends how the.

Land Rover's biggest SUV is all-new for 2013. Along with getting updated styling, a lightweight aluminum exterior and a new eight-speed automatic transmission, the Range Rover also gets more expensive: the 2013 model sees a $3,200 price hike. The fourth-generation.

The folks at Car Talk have been discussing some of the worst cars they've owned in their history all this week. We thought we'd join them with a run down of our staff's least fondly remembered cars that they've kept...

Competes with: Nissan Juke, Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Looks Like: A flattened, more aggressive version of the Countryman Drivetrain: Base versions use a 122-hp, 1.6-liter four-cylinder, and S versions use the same engine, tuned to make 184 hp. Europe’s.

Used-car prices could fall 4% to 5% over the next 12 months, residual-values predictor ALG said in its latest monthly report. The collapse in new-car sales during the recession left the market with fewer late-model used cars, and used-car prices...

Most significant changes: New trim level, and some versions get standard backup camera Price change: $630 more On sale: Now Which should you buy, 2012 or 2013? Prices are up slightly, but new standard features, such as Bluetooth (base) and...

The all-new 2013 Acura ILX is a compact sedan that’s based on the popular Honda Civic. This luxury five-seater is short on high-end features for its high starting price of $26,795, says Cars.com Family reviewer Carrie Kim. The ILX’s interior...

We've already seen the Tesla Model S, which is on sale now, and the new midsize Tesla Model X crossover that's due out in early 2014. A compact, entry-level Tesla priced around $30,000 also should be coming in 2015. Now...

Model-year 2013 pricing for GM's midsize crossovers is slowly rolling out. It was the updated GMC Acadia on Wednesday. Today, it's the Acadia's upscale sibling, the 2013 Buick Enclave. The three-row crossover will start at $39,270 including an $825 destination.

Lamborghini is recalling 1,491 model-year 2004-2006 versions of the Gallardo coupe and Spyder due to problems with the power-steering system, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The affected vehicles are equipped with leaky high pressure steering pipes near.

On the heels of Chrysler displaying dozens of upcoming cars in a private dealer meeting, Toyota took to Las Vegas to do the same. Representatives from some 1,400 U.S. dealerships saw a slew of new cars, including a redesigned Toyota...

Honda is recalling 17 Ridgeline pickup trucks from the 2012 model year because the airbag status indicator on the passenger side may be incorrectly installed, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The vehicles affected by the recall were.

Honda is recalling 5,216 model-year 2007-2011 versions of the Element SUV due to problems with the trailer hitch wiring harness, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The affected vehicles are equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it'll crash-test 54 vehicles — 33 passenger cars, 16 SUVs, one van and four pickup trucks — for the 2013 model year, according to the Detroit News. That's less than the model-year 2012...

Honda's Insight is the brand's only dedicated hybrid, and though this five-passenger hatchback is on the smaller side, we were able to fit two child-safety seats comfortably in the back. Aside from a few minor annoyances, the seat installation process.

You see them at convention centers, airports, hotels, resorts and spas. Your mechanic, cable guy and even your favorite band will probably pull up in one. Even America's celebrities get carted around in them on movie sets; and, if you're...

Today, Apple unveiled its iPhone 5, which goes on sale later this month. One feature possible iPhone 5 owners need to know is the smartphone's new Lightning connector that replaces the current 30-pin connector found on Apple's products like the...

Audi's Allroad wagon returns to the U.S. this year after a several-year hiatus. The new one is expensive and not as roomy as it should be, according to Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays. An upscale cabin and refined driving dynamics soften...

Ahead of the Paris Motor Show, Nissan released details of a vehicle it plans to debut there: the Terra concept. The compact SUV has from-the-future styling and a fuel-cell powertrain. Partially powering the hydrogen-electric concept is the Nissan Leaf's EV.

The substantially refreshed 2013 GMC Acadia has a starting price of $34,875, including an $825 destination fee. That’s a fairly substantially $1,215 increase for what is essentially a mildly refreshed vehicle. Still, you’re getting more standard equipment.

Redesigned for 2013, the Lexus GS 350 is sporty and race-inspired with its V-6 engine and stiffer suspension. But can this midsize sedan work as a family car? Yes, it can, Cars.com Family reviewer Sara Lacey says. Her test car...

Each year, more and more gadgets are added to the equipment lists of new cars. But it's not just gadgets. Simple features, such as extendable sun visors and wide-angle side mirrors, are also popping up. I’m all about the former,...

After more than a decade, an all-new Ford Transit Connect is coming to Europe and the U.S., according to PickupTrucks.com. The Transit Connect was one of the first globally sourced Ford vehicles announced under CEO Alan Mulally's "One Ford" strategy..

Chrysler unveiled 66 cars in its product pipeline at a private dealer meeting Monday in Las Vegas, Reuters reports. One dealer said it "was like a lovefest" as representatives from some 2,600 global dealerships — the vast majority based in...

For 2013, the Shelby GT500 got a bump in horsepower, giving the pony car more power than any car should ever need: 662 hp from a supercharged V-8 engine. Cars.com reviewer Mike Hanley says it's an unruly beast and an...

A report from Reuters on Monday alleges that GM loses as much as $49,000 on every Chevrolet Volt it sells as the automaker looks to spread development costs over just 21,494 Volt sales in the 21 months since the plug-in...

It's anything but a party when trying to install child-safety seats into the 2012 Ford Fiesta, a subcompact car. Its small backseat made it tough to fit a rear-facing infant seat in the hatchback, and the Latch anchors were difficult...

In 2011, after finding some two-thirds of iced-beverage customers already pony up the stomach capacity for a Venti, Starbucks introduced its Trenta size — a 31-ounce tribute to America's appetite for 1,000-watt stereos, quadruple burgers and Cowboys Stadium.

After reading Joe Wiesenfelder's spirited First Drive of the 2013 SRT Viper earlier today, the only question left was, "How much?" Now we know. The base SRT Viper will command a $99,395 price tag, including $1,995 in destination charges, before...

When was the last time you honked your horn? If you live in Fort Collins, Colo., it may have been weeks or even months ago as opposed to Washington, D.C., where you probably honked your way through the morning commute....

A glitch in the OnStar system has caused GM to halt the sale of several 2013 vehicles, Automotive News reports. A software problem is preventing OnStar's crash notification system from working in accidents that do not trigger airbag deployment. As...

We haven't seen a Honda Accord Hybrid since the mid-2000s — and Honda might want to forget its seventh-generation effort, which eked out just 22/31 mpg (city/highway) in adjusted 2006 EPA figures. Two generations later, the Accord Hybrid is back,...

Last week, Honda released full details about the redesigned 2013 Honda Accord sedan and coupe. They also let us test-drive an array of trim levels of both body styles. Reviewer Kelsey Mays found the interior vastly improved, but there were...

Buying a Honda traditionally has been an all-or-nothing affair. If the 2012 Honda Accord SE has everything you want except Bluetooth, that would mean paying an extra $3,000 for an EX-L to get that common feature … plus a bunch...

If you told me three years ago that I had written my last Dodge Viper review, I wouldn't have blinked. Certainly this noisy, crude, gas-guzzling ode to testosterone wouldn't survive an era defined by hybrids, soaring gas prices and its...

Cadillac's model renaissance has reoriented the crest-and-shield marque more toward the German luxury sports-car competition and away from the more comfortable, floaty Cadillacs of yore. For Cadillac buyers who still want the old kind of Cadillac, the new XTS large.

Looking to avoid another car accident? Then don't drive in Washington, D.C., New Jersey or California. They're home to some of the nation’s worst drivers, according to Allstate Insurance. Continue reading about that, and our other most-read stories of the.

It seems the Chrysler brand has been in an awkward marketing position for decades. The brand, which share's its name with its corporate owner, has tried to present itself as a stylish, almost premium brand ever since Celine Dion sang...

Mini's lineup expanded this year to include new coupe and roadster models. These backseat-less Coopers aren't suitable for family duty, but they are the ultimate toy for the big kids. The Coupe stylish and fun to drive — if you...

A totally new Mitsubishi Outlander is coming for the 2013 model year, and with it comes the brand's first U.S. plug-in hybrid SUV. The Outlander PHEV will debut at the 2012 Moscow International Motor Show. The carmaker has revealed a...

Our series of posts titled "What Does This Button Do?" has been quite popular, revealing the true nature of various peculiarly labeled buttons in new cars and trucks. Today's entry, pictured above, takes things in an unexpected direction. What does...

Mini's lineup expanded this year to include new coupe and roadster models. These backseat-less Coopers aren't suitable for family duty, but they are the ultimate toy for the big kids. They're stylish and fun to drive — if you can...

We showed you the next Kia Forte in July. Now Kia says the compact car, which sports mini-Optima styling, will show up at the L.A. Auto Show this November. It will debut alongside an updated Sorento SUV. Kia sales executive...

At Cars.com, we deliver high-quality, comprehensive video reviews — and try to put on a good show. Those videos, however, don't always turn out perfect the first time. It takes many tries, as this year's 2012 blooper reel can attest.

A Hong Kong-based consortium has finished acquiring bankrupt carmaker Saab, including tooling and platforms for the Saab 9-3 and Saab's facilities in Trollhättan, Sweden. The consortium, National Electric Vehicle Sweden, announced plans on Monday to introduce an electric vehicle based.

A wagon version of the Mazda6 is back — but only in Europe and Japan. On the heels of the new Mazda6 sedan reveal, the automaker took the wraps off of the 2014 Mazda6 wagon ahead of its official debut...

European automakers sure love their wagons, especially Audi. The automaker’s new Allroad is based on the A4 platform and replaces the A4 Avant wagon for 2013. Though there's not a lot of backseat space in this five-passenger compact wagon, exposed...

Ford is again recalling its redesigned-for-2013 Escape. This time, it's due to an improperly installed engine component, according to the Detroit News. The recall affects 7,600 Escape crossovers with the 1.6-liter engine. In the affected vehicles, which were built between.

The 2012 Chrysler 300S’ exterior is the first clue that this full-size sedan isn’t for the mundane, says Cars.com Family reviewer Courtney Messenbaugh. This sophisticated-looking car is set apart by its blackened chrome grille and C-shaped LED running lights.

The Ford Fiesta was a sales success in Europe long before it returned to the U.S. market for model-year 2011. Ahead of the 2012 Paris Motor Show later this month, the automaker released images of the redesigned global-spec Fiesta. The...

Volkswagen already said it would be releasing a new Golf today, and now we’re getting a first look of the model. The carmaker posted some photos of the new vehicle on its Facebook page. The Golf gets narrower headlights and...

New-car sales in August continued a trend that dates to May: massive gains for Toyota and Honda relative to an earthquake-stymied 2011, with solid — albeit smaller — gains among other major automakers. Both Japanese automakers led the march toward...

Before the Chevrolet Volt and GM's new eAssist models, the carmaker's hybrid offerings were mainly composed of a small number of dual-mode hybrid SUVs and trucks. Now there's some uncertainty as to whether those hybrids will be around when the...

Cadillac's new-for-2013 XTS should appeal to drivers looking for a comfortable, roomy and classy-looking sedan, says Cars.com reviewer David Thomas. Although the XTS is not as powerful as its rivals, its luxurious interior and innovative multimedia system help it stand.

Volvo is recalling 300 model-year 2013 versions of the S80 sedan and XC70 wagon because of problems with the tire pressure monitoring system, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A software error may prevent the tire pressure warning.

Calling the 662-horsepower 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 a muscle car is an understatement. It’s like lumping a semi-truck-pulling, keg-hurling competitor from The World’s Strongest Man competition in the same league as your Facebook friend who abuses your wall by constantly.

It's football season again, and that means a return to the parking lot for that venerated pregame festivity: tailgating. Parked cars, grilled meat, refreshing beverages and overpriced fan jerseys join together to help you steel yourself to cheer on your.

Despite being older than most family-sized crossovers, the Ford Flex continues to shine because of its ability to handle very large families while still managing to look hip while doing it, according to Cars.com reviewer Kristin Varela. 2013 Ford Flex.

Most significant changes: Leather upholstery and heated front seats are now standard Price change: $1,245 more On sale: Next month Which should you buy, 2012 or 2013? Unless you can get a really good deal on a 2012, there’s much...

It's a rite of passage for many families: driving your kid off to college. For our daughter, this meant a 1,500-mile trip from the Chicago suburbs to upstate New York. Assisting us on this trip was the 2012 Nissan Quest...

After a long delay, the Hyundai Santa Fe gets totally redesigned for the 2013 model year. Now known as the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, the midsize crossover is now competitively priced, stylish and spacious, according to Cars.com reviewer Jennifer Geiger.

After a harrowing sudden-acceleration case earlier this week with a Kia Sorento, we decided to revisit the do's and don'ts if your gas pedal ever gets stuck. Check out that story, along with the other popular stories of the week,...

Most significant changes: A new, more rugged model joins the lineup Price change: TBA On sale: October Which should you buy, 2012 or 2013? Without 2013 pricing, we can’t make a recommendation Jeep adds a new off-road-oriented model to the...

Most significant changes: Cheaper base model; new standard and optional equipment across the linep Price change: American Value Package model lowers its base price by $1,000. On sale: This fall Which should you buy, 2012 or 2013? If the base...